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Computed tomography (CT) studies considering bronchial dimensions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have never considered nycthemeral variations. Airway calibre, in COPD patients, exhibits a nycthemeral variations with maximal values around noon and minimal values in the early morning, that persists under long-acting bronchodilator. Furthermore, no study has assessed the possible nycthemeral variations of CT scans parameters reflecting airway remodelling and emphysema extent in COPD patients.

This is a prospective study whose purpose is to assess these variations and their relationships with pulmonary function testing (PFT) in COPD patients.

Condition or disease

Intervention/treatment

COPDCTNycthemeron

Radiation: Chest CT scan

Detailed Description:

Patients : COPD patients aged 40 years or more, with a smoking history of > 10 pack-years (PY), a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second to vital capacity ratio (FEV1/VC) < 0.7 and an optimal treatment according to GOLD guidelines will be included. Exclusion criteria are: COPD exacerbation or respiratory infection in the 4 weeks before the begin of the study, concomitant pulmonary disease (tuberculosis, significant bronchiectasis, lung cancer), pulmonary resection, active malignancy or malignancy of any organ system within the past 5 years.

Procedures: All measurements will be performed on the same day, after obtaining the written informed consent of the patient. Medical history, smoking status and patient's treatment will be collected.

At 08:00 AM (T0): PFT will be performed, including vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), functional residual capacity (FRC), total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and alveolar volume (VA) measurements (either in absolute values and percentage of predicted values). A first CT scan will be performed using the following technique:

Effects of Nycthemeral Variations on CT Parameters Reflecting Airways Remodelling, and Pulmonary Emphysema Extent in COPD: Comparisons Between CT Scans Obtained in the Morning and in the Afternoon and Relationships With Pulmonary Function Tests

COPD patients aged 40 or more, with a smoking history of > 10 pack-years, a post-bronchodilator FEV1/VC < 0.7 and an optimal treatment according to GOLD guidelines will be included. Exclusion criteria are: COPD exacerbation or respiratory infection in the 4 weeks before the begin of the study, concomitant pulmonary disease (tuberculosis, significant bronchiectasis, lung cancer), pulmonary resection, active malignancy or malignancy of any organ system within the past 5 years.

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Ages Eligible for Study:

40 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Sampling Method:

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

COPD patients aged 40 or more, with a smoking history of > 10 PY, a post-bronchodilator FEV1/VC < 0.7 and an optimal treatment according to GOLD guidelines will be included. Exclusion criteria are: COPD exacerbation or respiratory infection in the 4 weeks before the begin of the study, concomitant pulmonary disease (tuberculosis, significant bronchiectasis, lung cancer), pulmonary resection, active malignancy or malignancy of any organ system within the past 5 years.